DONEGAL INTERNATIONAL RALLY CANCELLED FOLLOWING SPECTATOR FATALITY

EVENT ABANDONED AFTER INCIDENT ON STAGE 12 OF IRISH TARMAC CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND

The 2026 Donegal International Rally was cancelled on Saturday following a fatal accident involving a spectator during Stage 12 of the event.

Round five of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship had attracted a strong entry, including five-time World Rally Championship event winner Kris Meeke and current M-Sport driver Josh McErlean.

Driving a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, Meeke had led the rally from the opening stages, with reigning Irish Tarmac champion Callum Devine in second place aboard his Škoda. McErlean was running third before the incident occurred.

The accident happened on Saturday's SS12 Gartan 1 when Devine and co-driver Noel O'Sullivan left the road. The crew were not injured, but a spectator suffered fatal injuries.

According to Ireland's national broadcaster RTE, two additional spectators were transported to hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

Following the incident, all competing crews were directed back to the service park. Organizers later confirmed that the remainder of the rally would not continue.

A joint statement from Motorsport Ireland and Donegal Motor Club confirmed the death of a young male spectator and announced the immediate cancellation of the event as a mark of respect.

The statement also confirmed that Motorsport Ireland and An Garda Síochána have launched a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.

Officials additionally urged members of the public not to share video footage of the incident circulating on social media.

QUOTE

"Motorsport Ireland and Donegal Motor Club are deeply saddened to confirm that a young male spectator has passed away following an accident on the twelfth stage of the Donegal International Rally."

"As a mark of respect the organizers have cancelled the remainder of the event."

"Motorsport Ireland and Donegal Motor Club express their deepest sympathies to the family of the deceased and ask that everyone respect their privacy at this time."

KEY POINTS

• Donegal International Rally cancelled following a fatal spectator accident on SS12

• Incident occurred during the Gartan 1 stage on Saturday

• Callum Devine and Noel O'Sullivan left the road but were uninjured

• One spectator died as a result of the accident

• Two additional spectators were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries

• Competitors were redirected to service before the event was abandoned

• Motorsport Ireland and An Garda Síochána have launched an investigation

• Organizers requested that accident footage not be shared online